Wasn't Kennedy in the side as a 2nd ruckman? Hardly surprising then that he was on the bench for longer than he was on the ground. Ackland was on the ground 64% and Kennedy 38% - so I guess they were only on the ground together for 2% of the time - perhaps when Ackland went forward.

Our forward line included Fev, Waite, Fisher and Lance. They all did better than JK has done this year. Hardly grounds for complaint there.

So, how many teams leave a 2nd ruckman on the bench until he swaps with the No. 1 ruckman so he can have a rest on the bench? I think you'll find it's a lot.

PROS:

Gibbs - superb poise and delivery. Real class. Gonna be a star.
Murphy - another good game. He and Gibbs together in 2 years...mmmm.
Waite - Kouta-like agility. Great game up Fwd, just when I was hoping they'd leave him at CHB all year
Old man Kouta. Great 2nd half. Good to have his big body around the stoppages.
Simmo. You've gotta love this bloke. He and Walker are the only guys in our team who can break the lines, and you can't win games without those types of players. Hopefully Benji and Grigg can inject more pace in the years ahead.
Blackers - kicking let him down at times, but he'll get better. Like this guy.
Carrots - certainly knows how to get the pill, and hard nut. Very solid.

CONS:

Fluffed 3 massive chances to score goals early in the last Q. Would've been interesting to see what would've happened if we'd been 3 up.

More brainless bombing at times, although better than previous games this year.

JK. I pray its the way Pagan's been using him, or his pine-time that's affecting his confidence, but he just doesn't look like he has the tools. I'd be wrapt if he ends up like Earl, but just dunno. New coach might do him wonders ?

Ackland. OK, he was improved and gave a bit more, but at least twice in that last quarter he had to make a genuine marking contest and failed to commit his body. Surely they can't play him for 3 years ?

So, more PROS than CONS. Hate losing every week, but if the compensation is the PP, then that ain't all bad

Just can't help yourself can you. One word... child!

Kouta in the team makes us better. Facts are facts... leading posession winner, a bunch of important clearances and a couple of goals. Valuable!

I have only had the chance to see a bit of the match but I got to see the 3rd quarter and I was impressed - I reckon it was the best quarter we have played all year.

It must be just a headspace thing that we can't do that effectively for 4 or even 3 quarters.

On the whole I am quite heartened.

Gibbsy was great.

Biggest pro for me is the fact that this team can play patches of ammazing footy - which proves that we have the talent, just not the miles in the legs. Things will only get better from here as the players put on size, add endurance to their bodies and hone their skills. We have (nearly all) the weapons and the attributes but lack the finishing touches and consistency.

The areas we are still light are:
a quality tap ruckman (maybe Hampo or Sake)
a small backman (maybe Ando)
a key pos backman (maybe Hartlett/Austin)
a mid or two (Stevens return, maybe Grigg/Benji)

Our forward line is extremely potent and we have a bunch of excellent mids and half back flankers and are gaining depth.

I'm excited to think that we have the stock and now its about time and coaching. The next coach will be licking his lips at what he has to work with.

some interesting stats,
Kennedy 5 possesions 38 minutes full game = 16 possesions
whitnall 9 possesions 94 minutes full game = 11 possesions
o'hailpin 9 possesions 104 minutes full game =12 possesions
fevola 10 possesions 113 minutes full game 10 possesions

You're 100% spot on, in fact I'd go as far as to say it was a big turning point in the match. Pagan paid Porplyzia little respect by putting someone as green as Anderson on him, and Anderson in turn showed him even less respect and didn't play tight.

That being said, I hope Anderson has learned how quickly forwards will hurt you in the big time if you don't man up, and is kept in the senior team and improves this week.

Same goes for Hartlett. It would be a diabolical error by Pagan if he dropped Hartlett this week, and would be a massive blow to the kid.

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"The Wigg's big in 08!" - Chris Judd

He will be so important to this group in around 2009 when we are challenging for the eight.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

And who said he would be?

Valuable today, right now. You do want to have our best team on the field to win right? Or are you baracking for the opposition?

Anderson will learn a heap from Saturdays game.
We are here to develop the players. If it costs a win or 2, big deal as far as I'm concerned.
We want players who understand the team rules but play with flair and creativity within those rules. Punishing players by benching/dropping them creates a reluctance to take risks which impairs their improvement.

The small running back pocket is a crucial position. It requires excellent decision making, courage and the ability to lock down when required. Its going to take some pain and patience to develop that player.
Joe Anderson is as good a candidate as any at the moment. Look at any errors as an investment in his development.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Ra ra ra - go team - wave your flag - all hail the conquering heroes!!!!!!



The Class of 2004 all over again.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

I agree with this statement. Anderson looks as good as any on the list to make that posi his own. And I think dropping Hartlett would be a mistake also. Saddo is an honest tryer and an ok footballer, but Hartlett would be a better option for me. Saddo's value through experience doesn't add enough to keep him in the team ahead of Hartlett.

Agreed that he is the best option and that the small defender's position is a vital one and a glaring weakness at the moment.

Not that we don't have other options. But the difficulty is that they are best used elsewhere. Simpson, Walker, and Carrazzo are all capable of playing the position. And Gibbs too. But we need them further up the ground.

But ideally we'd develop him in the VFL for a year or so before we brought him in. He needs to build up his body, and he needs more experience. And he desperately needs work on his kicking. Running out of defence and turning the ball over by foot is devastating, and he cost us a goal in that way on the weekend. But we don't have that luxury and have to throw him into the seniors and leave him there. That means we have to be patient with him and forgive and forget the errors when they come.

Losing 3 one on ones - 1 because of a great block from a big strong forward - is not being unaccountable. Anderson has pace and size and runs to the right spots. He needs to focus on the kicking but I think he's a cracker and can't wait until he's played 20-30 games and is up with the pace of the game.

I was happy with Anderson. Got outbodied a few times but also did a couple of good spoils and some great tackles. Stick with him and he will improve. I'm happy to give up a few goals for the experience to Ando.

I am surpised by the supporters who seem to resent Kouta daring to play well. He was the difference between being in the game and getting creamed. He got us back into it in the third. And I don't agree that you replace anyone who won't be part of our next flag. I think that is a fair way away, so we might need to start topping up from the little league.

Play young players when their form warrants it. Stick with them when they put in and show the grunt and potential like Ando. Give them a run in the ressies when they can't get near it. Josh K tried really hard but looks a metre away at present and won't be hurt by a run in the Ants. No probs with his 40% playing time, he really couldn't get near it when he was on and was lucky to be recalled after 7 games where he couldn't really get the ball. I am hoping he picks up the pace over the next two years. He has the endeavour but needs to get back some marking form against lesser opposition.

We need about 4 more quality runners, a lot more strength, Adelaide looked miles bigger than us, and we need to hope like hell that Hammo and Aisake come through and that our recruiters are making best use of all the great picks we have had and will have at the end of this year.

PROS:
Gibbs's game
Koutas game
Waites game

CONS:
Setanta - will the experiment work? Unless he is on a big full forward that plays deep he is a big worry.
Our general stupid play, I have come to accept that we play dumb football
Oh yeah, Lance had a shocker also, big concern

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Actually I thought Setanta was okay, got caught out trying to atack, partly due to bad disposal/options from team mates. Did some good spoils, a couple of contetsted marks and some almost good attcking moves. Keep trying them and they will work. Ian perrie didn't do much. Setanta I think needs to be played at CHB. He tried anticpating the ball a few times and got burnt, will leran to be smarter about when to run and when to stay.

Move TBird to fullback depending on match ups, he has played his best footy there. Tell Setanta to run when we have the ball and use him. Make use of his ability to run through the lines.